Non-binary NASA intern goes viral for hitting out at Trump’s trans military ban
Non-binary NASA intern V Wegman has gone after speaking out against the Trump administration’s military ban. (vwegs/Twitter)
A NASA intern who is non-binary has gone viral after tweeting about the Trump administration’s proposal to ban trans people from serving in US armed forces.
V Wegman took to Twitter on Tuesday (January 22) to speak out against the plans, after a Supreme Court ruling backed the Trump government’s policy.
“Nothing about my identity makes me any less capable of working in the government,” Wegman wrote, uploading an image of themselves wearing a NASA uniform.
Non-binary NASA intern: The Trump administration is “manufacturing oppression”
“This administration is manufacturing oppression as a distraction from real issues. #TransMilitaryBan
“PS my coworkers and I are getting pretty desperate #shutdown.”
PinkNews understands that NASA employees or interns would be unaffected by the trans troops ban because it is not part of the US armed forces.
However, Wegman made it clear that they wanted to speak out as an individual with experience working for an independent agency of the US federal government.
Twitter users showed their support for Wegman. (thatcardsharp/Twitter)
On Tuesday (January 22), the US Supreme Court voted 5-4 in favour of the Trump administration’s request to lift injunctions blocking the policy, after a number of lower courts had ruled against it.
Wegman’s tweet has been retweeted by more than 7,000 users and liked by 30,000 people.
“Nothing about my identity makes me any less capable of working in the government.”
—V Wegman
Speaking to BuzzFeed News, Wegman said: “When the trans military ban news came out, it really struck a chord with me.
“I felt obligated. I felt scared that I was going to become even less understood or even more scrutinized as a nonbinary person using they/them pronouns.
“I felt I could shine a light on myself and others who are already in the federal government.”
The Trump administration’s policy proposes to stop “transgender persons who require or have undergone gender transition” from serving in America’s armed forces.
The policy does not affect trans people already serving, or trans people willing to serve “in their biological sex.”
NASA intern goes viral after US Supreme Court sides with Trump’s trans military ban
Many people on Twitter showed their support for Wegman.
“I’m former Air Force, I support who you are and what you do. Thank you for bringing honor to that uniform,” said one person.
“I hope this shut down ends soon, but if not, I know you’ll find another way to keep soaring.”
Another wrote: “You’re just RADIATING motivation and energy!! NASA should be glad to have you and I hope that you’re in a work environment safe for nonbinary peeps.
“PS as a German, this whole shutdown thing is mind-boggling to me. Stay strong.”
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